I thought you guys might be interested to hear that Brooks Brothers currently has a coupon for $100 off $300 or $200 off $500 with the coupon code "BCSP15" that applies to the Filson bags they have available on their website here. Once you have added your items to the cart and entered the coupon code, go to your cashback website (e.g. Ebates or Mr. Rebates) and get their link for cashback at BB's and checkout with the new BB window that pops up (from your cashback website). I actually decided to make a Mr. Rebate's account after seeing one of the Reddit comments because I saw their cashback was double my usual eBates (5% vs 2.5%). If you want to sign up under my referral, my referral link is http://www.mrrebates.com?refid=1131966 - I apologize in advance if referrals are not allowed/frowned upon, there is no obligation to sign up under my referral, but I thought I would throw it out there. I believe Mr. Rebate's sends me 20% of your first rebate amount so go ahead and drop a few g's for me ;) - Don't forget to login to your Shoprunner account for free 2-day-shipping and returns! American Express cardholders get a free Shoprunner membership.

Anyways, I bought the large duffle and zippered tote (both in tan) to get the $200 off coupon ($328 before tax, $345.38 after tax). I know most people usually get the medium duffle, but after seeing the post by speedy611 here I sprung for the large (since it was only $13 more).

Hello. Newbie question here. I just aquired a 257 and was surprised that the interieur pockets are not made out of twill. It's a thinner fabric.
Is that a recent change, or was it always like this?

The inner pockets of my other briefcase, the 256, are entirely made out of twill (which I prefer).

Here are some pics of the 257:

Thanks.

If it's any consolation, it doesn't necessarily follow that using tin cloth was an attempt to cut costs (this also makes the big assumption that tin cloth is a cheaper material just because it's lighter). It may be an attempt to reduce weight or to use a more flexible material for the interior.

Anyone have any actual experience/photos with the aging of a black leather field satchel? Perhaps I'm just not finding the relevant comment. But even a google image search for examples of the black leather aging process turns up empty. I obviously don't want a glossy, black bag covered in scuff marks after 5 years. But I also don't want to look like a farmer or a country lawyer in ten (with the brown bag). Opinions and thoughts are also accepted.

Here's a pic of my black field satchel after about a year and half of use back and forth from school and work and multiple trips on an airplane. Frankly the weakest link is the right strap. One strap is nice and thick and solid while the right one is limp and shapeless.

Trlhtn, the bag looks nearly new after all that time. I have a tan briefcase of bridle leather and it hasn't shown much aging either except for darkening from exposure to rain.

On the other hand, I have a tan briefcase made out of the less rigid Horween Essex leather and it shows much more patina from use in a similar amount of time. It is pretty amazing stuff as it's supple but still thick and tough. It doesn't develop water stains but gets wrinkled and burnished from use.

It's a pretty solid bag which I attribute to the quality of the leather. I later ordered a brown field satchel and it was so disappointing compared to my black one. Was thinner and didn't hold its shape as well as my black one. Ended up returning back to filson

Many thanks for the photos and description. The bag looks great, and well taken care of. Seeing as you've owned both bags, I am quite curious: Why did you decide to get the brown after you already had the black? Your experience of the brown being thinner etc. sounds bizarre. Many (not I) would argue that the brown is more functional in a professional wardrobe. Do you still use the satchel regularly, or did you seek out a different bag in brown? Finally, are you hoping that it ages nicely/quickly, or intending to keep it clean?

I actually had a brown field satchel before my black one. I sent that one in for repairs to Filson cause I believe it was an older one that was improperly stored and the leather started to crack in certain places. During the time Filson was repairing it, I ordered a black field satchel. Later Filson determined that instead of repairing the brown satchel they would just replace it. The brown one they sent in return was visibly thinner and lighter/ flimsier than the black one. I exchanged the brown one again as I thought it was a fluke and again I received a satchel in similar condition. Filson stated that the leather was thinner because leather varies from winter to summer cows? I didn't really buy the explanation, but Filson was nice enough to give me a full gift card for the value of the brown one and I am just waiting for whatever production cycle to run in hopes that the new ones they make go back to using thicker/ heftier leather.

I want my black bag to age nicely, but I also want it to be nourished as it does get a full day use everyday. About every 3-4 months I moisturize it with JE Sedgwick bridle leather wax. In my opinion brown as a color looks better with what I wear, but for $890 the brown satchel I did receive was a joke in terms of feel and quality compared to my black satchel.

I have the navy 24 hour bag (#140) - I've had it for about 1 1/2 years now - pretty much daily use with quite a bit of travel with it. I don't see it fading all that much (although I'm not out in the sun, all that much, I guess). It has developed a nice patina - shows some wear on the bottom corners, but not bad at all.

Because of the waxy finish, it has some spots that are lighter, some that are darker. It's holding up just as I expected it to. It's a really great bag - great color - great weight. I do have a zipper that's gone a little wonky (one of the pockets) - one of the zipper teeth is a little bit crooked - I can still pull the zipper through and it corrects but I'll have to watch for it as I continue to carry it.

There is a little bit of "denim shine" on the inside as that rubs against my leg as I carry it. Doesn't show the denim transfer like my tan Filsons do, of course, because it's already blue.